How to attach strip of foundation to frames

[MoisesFromL.A]

I want to use a strip of foundation as a guide for the bees, im wondering if you guys have any tips for this. My father use to nail it in but im looking for alternatives. Or if you guys suggest something else other than a strip of foudation im all ears. Thanks

[Solomon Parker]

If you have wedged topbars, you can pin it in with the wedge, or you can pour a bead of wax in and set the strip in it. You could also use popsicle sticks or something else you may have around.

[PAHunter62]

There is a tool made expecially for this, I think Dadant sells them. Called a "Wax Tube Fastener"

See the following Blog post and video about how to use:

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2...stener_26.html

Linda has lots of good information on her blog, look around while you are there.

[Michael Bush]

I'd rather use wood strips. But when I have used wax strips I've used the Wax Tube Fastener. It used to only be available from Walter T. Kelley, but now Dadant has it as well as some others. It used to be called the "Van Deusen Wax Tube Fastener" after the inventor.

http://www.bushfarms.com/images/WaxTubeFastener.JPG

For just a few you can get by with a table spoon that has been bent to have a spout and scooping and pouring small amounts of beeswax with that.

[Joseph Clemens]

When I use starter strips of beeswax foundation, or even sheets of beeswax foundation, I prefer grooved top bars, so I fasten the beeswax foundation strip or sheet into the top groove by holding the frame upside-down and using a cheap paintbrush dipped in molten beeswax, I dab the liquid beeswax into the groove, around the foundation, it fills the groove between the beeswax foundation and the wood of the top bar, I do both sides and let it thoroughly cool down before turning it right-side-up. This has worked very well.

[MoisesFromL.A]

I'd rather use wood strips. But when I have used wax strips I've used the Wax Tube Fastener. It used to only be available from Walter T. Kelley, but now Dadant has it as well as some others. It used to be called the "Van Deusen Wax Tube Fastener" after the inventor.

http://www.bushfarms.com/images/WaxTubeFastener.JPG

For just a few you can get by with a table spoon that has been bent to have a spout and scooping and pouring small amounts of beeswax with that.

I read from your website that foundation strips were fine and since my father use to do the same I was going that route. Now that you say to use the wood strips , I was curious about using popsicles stick and using a glue gun to set them in the groove. What do yall say about that?

[Michael Bush]

The strips of wax foundation work fine. The strips of wood (popscicle sticks etc.) work as well but last longer. You only have to put them in once.

[MoisesFromL.A]

The strips of wax foundation work fine. The strips of wood (popscicle sticks etc.) work as well but last longer. You only have to put them in once.

Would using a glue gun be fine ? Do I need 1 popsicle stick in the middle or a couple across the top? Thanks for the responses

[Joseph Clemens]

I tried the hot melt glue. The humidity inside the hive quickly caused it to fail. I cannot explain why, but the hot melt glue does not work on wooden bee equipment inside beehives.

[Oldtimer]

That would seem reasonable Joseph as the hot melt does not actually penetrate the timber just sits on the surface. So moisture would undermine it.

However, for my mating nucs which are natural comb, I attach wax foundation strips with hot melt glue, actually faster than using melted wax. Maybe the glue fails in time I don't know. But it does last long enough for the bees to build comb and get it attached in it's own right, so even if the glue fails the comb is still attached. I only use a few small drops of glue so the bees can attach most of the comb direct to the timber without relying on the glue, just in case it eventually fails.

[MoisesFromL.A]

I tried the hot melt glue. The humidity inside the hive quickly caused it to fail. I cannot explain why, but the hot melt glue does not work on wooden bee equipment inside beehives.

Thanks...Thats the answer I was looking for. Wasnt sure if the glue would bond well.

[MoisesFromL.A]

There is a tool made expecially for this, I think Dadant sells them. Called a "Wax Tube Fastener"

See the following Blog post and video about how to use:

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2...stener_26.html

Linda has lots of good information on her blog, look around while you are there.

Thanks for the video. Think I could use a syringe to substitue the fastener?

[PAHunter62]

I have used the wax tub fastener. It worked well. With that said, I later converted to just using wood strips glued into a grooved top bar. Last year I painted the strip and top bar with wax. This year I plan to just install the wood strip and take them to the hive. To me it's all about my time and taking an approach that will last.

[MoisesFromL.A]

I have used the wax tub fastener. It worked well. With that said, I later converted to just using wood strips glued into a grooved top bar. Last year I painted the strip and top bar with wax. This year I plan to just install the wood strip and take them to the hive. To me it's all about my time and taking an approach that will last.

What type of glue do you use?

[Desert Viking Ranch]

I like to try and keep things simple. I cut an approximately 2 inch wide strip about 6 inches long (the width of medium foundation), fold it in half lengthwise, pop it into the top bar groove and touch over it briefly on both sides with my propane torch. Melts the foundation wax in the groove enough to hold while the bees use it as a guide - soon after they have completely encompassed it with their own comb and everything attaches nicely.

This year however, I decided to go with wedge top bars, flipped sideways as a wooden guide.

[PAHunter62]

What type of glue do you use?

Same as I use for everything else, a little titebond III.

[buzz abbott]

Do I need 1 popsicle stick in the middle or a couple across the top?

I have the same question.

[Solomon Parker]

I put them all the way across. Well, in truth, I use three because that's what fits, but from what I've heard, long topbars can result in the ends of the comb curving as if to encircle the brood nest. I don't have any top bar hives but I've seen it done.

[MJuric]

Think I could use a syringe to substitue the fastener?

I used a childs medicine syringe and it worked pretty well. Sometimes the tube fills up and solidifies a bit but you just work in some hot wax and you're good. I did order the fastener this year but as I said the syringe works pretty well.

~Matt

[buzz abbott]

I'm going to use Popsicle sticks glued into the groove. I was thinking of using silicon window seal (the kind in a tube with a gun) Are there glues that I should not use due to toxicity or other reasons? Also, I find that some of my grooves are wider and/or deeper than others. How much effort should I put into keeping the sticks at right angles to the bar? What is the least amount the stick should protrude?